UGH! New FICO is 575. Should I declare BK or other options?

UGH! New FICO is 575. Should I declare BK or other options?

So, back in October of 2011, I signed up for MyFico's quarterly monitoring and FICO score, well yesterday I got an email that my newest TransUnion report and score were available.......My FICO score went from 597 in 10/2011 to 575, all because Toyota Motor Credit JUST reported me being past due from WAY back in April of 2011. Everytime I pay them, I am essentially a month behind because of last Spring, but my credit report kept showing "green" paid tabs for each month. Why in the world would they just report it now? So, to make a long story short, my score dropped 25 points. Everything else is fine, my credit cards are paid on time and it shows no collections.

Here's my question though, my situation has become quite dire where the person I am living with is on the verge of eviction because I can't really contribute to the rent. I feel personally responsible for this mess. My total living expenses(car loan, student loans, 8 credit cards, food, gas, utlities) is pretty much exactly what I make a month from my full-time job, so I have nothing to show for afterwards. My car loan still has 4 years left(was a 72 month loan), and the ONLY way I could split the rent with them is if I just decided to stop paying my 8 cards, which all together come to about $400/month.

If someone had absolutely no choice but to let their credit get ruined, between bankruptcy(I think I read recently that chapter 13 would be best suited to my needs) and not paying my credit cards anymore, but just letting my cards get charged off as bad debt, which option would the better road?(Obviously I know that neither option has any good whatsoever in it, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do). And as far as anyone thinking "Why doesn't he just looking for a second job?" I have been submitting resumes for weeks and weeks now, like most Americans are doing.

Re: UGH! New FICO is 575. Should I declare BK or other options?

I'm actually in a similar situation as it comes to deciding whether or not to file bankruptcy. I can't give you great advice, but the best I can say is take care of your living expenses first. Getting evicted (as has happened to me) or getting someone else evicted, is a nightmare. If I had the chance to go back, I'd find a reputable debt management (not solution) plan to maybe consolidate my expenses. They will probably make you close your cards, but trust me...closing and taking care of them is better than allowing them to be charged off. Many CUs can reccomend these services and they won't take your money like "debt solution" companies.

Take care of the roof over your head before anything else...and closing your cards or perhaps negotiating with your CCC's for a reduced payment will do far less damage in the long run than allowing them to charge-off.

Again, this may not be the 100% end all be all solution, but I don't want anyone to be like me with 2 evictions, more CO's and CA's than I can count, and a crap score.

Re: UGH! New FICO is 575. Should I declare BK or other options?

My advice would be to first consult with a debt consultation specialist.

BK is a serious step. You may be able to get a deferred/reduced payment plan with existing creditors. To just discontinue timely minimum payments is a step that will haunt you for years. The CR impact will stay for 7 years. The escalation for monthly delinquencies to a charge-off of the debt is usually followed on its heels by debt collectors, who will further trash your score and hound you to death. And looming all the while is the threat of legal action.

BK is certainly a way to discharge debt and prevent further damage, but has its own lingering effects. I would first consult with a pro who can give you alternatives.

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Many factors affect your FICO Scores and the interest rates you may receive. Fair Isaac is not a credit repair organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Fair Isaac does not provide "credit repair" services or advice or assistance regarding "rebuilding" or "improving" your credit record, credit history or credit rating.
FTC's website on credit.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: All FICO® Score products made available on myFICO.com include a FICO® Score 8, along with additional FICO® Score versions. Your lender or insurer may use a different FICO® Score than the versions you receive from myFICO, or another type of credit score altogether. Learn more

FICO, myFICO, Score Watch, The score lenders use, and The Score That Matters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fair Isaac Corporation. Equifax Credit Report is a trademark of Equifax, Inc. and its affiliated companies. Many factors affect your FICO Score and the interest rates you may receive. Fair Isaac is not a credit repair organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Fair Isaac does not provide "credit repair" services or advice or assistance regarding "rebuilding" or "improving" your credit record, credit history or credit rating. FTC's website on credit.